LI homes for sale inspired by 'tiny house' trend

The average American home has ballooned over the years, growing in the Northeast from an average of around 1,600 square feet in 1973 to more than 2,600 square feet in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But these days, small houses are in the spotlight. The tiny house movement, centered on mostly mobile spaces that are smaller than 400 square feet, is sweeping the country and HGTV reality show “Tiny House Hunters” follows people looking to downsize. We’ve rounded up 10 homes for sale in Nassau and Suffolk counties that are about 1,000 square feet or less — tiny by Long Island standards — and asked the sellers about the advantages that come with living small.

Holtsville: $239,990

Photo Credit: Realty Connect USA

This ranch, at 669 square feet, features two bedrooms and one bathroom. Being on a 50-by-150-foot property, "for a smaller house, it has a really large backyard," says listing agent Paul Perrone of Realty Connect USA. The property, with taxes of $4,013, contains a side patio with custom brickwork.
Paul Perrone, Realty Connect USA, 631-236-3699

Photo Credit: Realty Connect USA

The house, built in 1930, has a foyer that leads into a living room with hardwood floors.

Photo Credit: Realty Connect USA

The kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, includes a dining nook. Perrone says that both bedrooms are about 11 by 11 feet and that the home's bathroom has been updated. The house also includes a partial unfinished basement with a washer and dryer.

North Merrick: $299,999

Photo Credit: Anthony Napolitano Homes

This ranch, which offers one bedroom and one bathroom, is about 550 square feet, the home's listing agent says. The 37-by-100-foot property, which the agent says has new front steps and a widened driveway, has taxes of $5,160.
Anthony Napolitano, Anthony Napolitano Homes, 516-807-4315

Photo Credit: Anthony Napolitano Homes

Built in 1920, the house includes a living room and an eat-in kitchen with an outside entrance that leads out to a deck on the side of the yard.

Photo Credit: Anthony Napolitano Homes

In addition to a full unfinished basement, with utilities, the house also features an attic for storage.

Rocky Point: $209,990

Photo Credit: Coldwell Banker Residential Brok

This two-bedroom ranch is roughly 950 square feet, says the home's listing agent, and sits on an 80-by-100-foot property. The property has a flat yard, says Robert Privitera of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. It also includes a back patio and a driveway that leads to a detached one-car garage. The taxes are $3,163.
Robert Privitera, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 631-521-5276

Photo Credit: Coldwell Banker Residential Brok

The house, which was built in 1945 and updated within the last two years, has one bathroom. A sitting area/mudroom leads into the living room. The kitchen has new maple cabinetry, granite countertops and wood-plank ceramic tile flooring.

Ronkonkoma: $199,500

Photo Credit: Signature Premier Properties

This three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch is like having "a condominium but with a yard and garage," says listing agent Carol Macaluso of Signature Premier Properties. The 100-by-55-foot property, within the Connetquot School District, features a detached garage with a workshop and a back patio. The taxes are $6,305. Carol Macaluso, Signature Premier Properties, 631-416-075

Photo Credit: Signature Premier Properties

The house, about 1,050 square feet, is ideal for first-time homebuyers or those looking to downsize without losing the detached feeling, she adds. "It really does have big space for a little house," Macaluso says. "If you're sizing down, you still have room for guests." The home includes an open living area with hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings with a skylight. There's also an unfinished basement.

Photo Credit: Signature Premier Properties

The eat-in kitchen, separated somewhat from the living room-dining room combination area by a column, features white cabinetry, copper ceilings and two sinks. The 1949 home, which has an updated heating system and smart water heater, also has a pellet stove that "could heat the whole house," Macaluso says.

Sound Beach: $210,000

Photo Credit: Keller Williams Realty

This 1,072-square foot Sound Beach bungalow offers two bedrooms and one bathroom. Situated on the first level of the home is a living room, kitchen and dining room. Both bedrooms and the bathroom are on the second level. Taxes on the property, which is 3,920-square feet, are $4,004. Amanda Eckart, Keller Williams Realty, 631-675-0770

Photo Credit: Keller Williams Realty

The kitchen, bathroom, and wraparound stone patio have been renovated withint the last eight years. The homeowner says the tile flooring in the kitchen evokes a throwback feel.

Photo Credit: Keller Williams Realty

Much of the furniture, such as the white wicker set in the living room and bunk beds in the bedroom, are included with the home.

Photo Credit: Laffey Real Estate

This 564-square foot Fort Salonga home includes two bedrooms and one bathroom. Taxes on the .57-acre property, which is in the Kings Park School District, are $4,170. Katy Anastasio, Laffey Real Estate, 516-695-1963

Photo Credit: Laffey Real Estate

An enclosed front porch leads to the living room and dining room combination, which features cathedral ceilings, a white brick fireplace and sliding glass doors that overlook the backyard. The first level also includes a kitchen, which has an outside entrance, and a small bedroom.

Photo Credit: Laffey Real Estate

A staircase leads up to a loft where the master bedroom is located.

Baldwin: $289,000

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

Seller Kenneth Petrocca, 43, says he appreciates the fact that any maintenance is easier to tackle in a smaller home. His is 868 square feet. “It’s one can of paint, a smaller amount of materials,” he says.

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

This bungalow-style, two-bedroom home on a 40-by-100-foot lot comes with a mudroom. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, and the bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub.

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

The property has a detached garage with an attic.

North Bellmore: $315,000

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Audrey Carroll, 66, grew up in this 925-square-foot home at a time when small houses were the rule rather than the exception. “You were always outside, no matter what the temperature was,” she recalls. “You still had one television per household.”

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch has a living room with a wood-burning fireplace.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The house has a full basement and garage. It sits on a 40-by-100-foot lot.

Babylon: $259,000

Photo Credit: Coach Realtors

The taxes for this 670-square-foot Babylon home are $3,679 with the STAR exemption.

Photo Credit: Coach Realtors

The house has two bedrooms and one full bath, with a total of four rooms overall.

Photo Credit: Coach Realtors

The 1950 house is located on a 60-by-160-foot lot.

Levittown: $349,990

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

This six-room home has three bedrooms and is 1,050 square feet.

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

The 1949 Cape is on a 56-by-104-foot lot.

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

The kitchen in the three-bedroom, one-bathroom home.

Port Washington: $749,000

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

Matthew Strauss says the small space in his 984-square-foot home has meant his kids, ages 5 and 7, haven’t accumulated tons of toys they never play with. “My wife bought angled shelves and we put the toys in that,” he says. “When that fills up, that’s it. No more toys.”

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

The house is on a 50-by-50-foot lot with a deep porch with views of Manhasset Bay.

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

It's a two-bedroom, one-bathroom Colonial.

Oakdale: $249,000

Photo Credit: Ivy Neal

Rhoda and James McManus bought the 700-square-foot home, part of an artists’ colony on the former Vanderbilt estate, in 1965 and have rented it out. The home has a loft-like upstairs bedroom that’s the size of the entire house.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The home was built circa 1895 and sits on a 25-by-75-foot lot.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The one-bedroom home's one bathroom.

Center Moriches: $599,900

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Janet White, 77, and her husband, Peter, 74, use the 1,070-square-foot house as an escape from the small apartment they rent in Manhattan’s West Village. They end up enjoying the outdoors much more, Janet White says.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

This Cape has two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. It sits on Senix Creek off Moriches Bay, and the bulkheaded property comes with a boat ramp and floating dock.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The living and dining rooms have vaulted ceilings, and there’s a gas fireplace.

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The 50-by-308-foot lot comes with a two-car garage.

Aquebogue: $359,000

Photo Credit: Andrew Stype Realty

Cecily Jaffe bought the 1,000-square-foot house 17 years ago when her daughter was in high school. She now lives alone. “It’s plenty of space for me,” says Jaffe, 69. “I didn’t think I needed a really big house.”

Photo Credit: Andrew Stype Realty

The living room comes with a fireplace, and the master bedroom has a sitting area.

Photo Credit: Andrew Stype Realty

The two-bedroom, 1 1⁄2-bathroom cottage is down the street from Peconic Bay.

Nesconset: $305,000

Photo Credit: Heather Walsh

Andrew Luberto, 38, who has lived in the 1,000-square-foot home with his wife, Katherine, for more than five years, says he has prioritized his possessions, getting rid of items such as old college textbooks. “It’s amazing how much you can downsize,” Luberto says. “You think, ‘Am I really going to read about the Russian Revolution again?’ ”

Photo Credit: Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

The home has wide-plank pine floors, and the updated kitchen has butcher block countertops.

Photo Credit: Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

The ranch with a long front porch fits three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.